The foundations of the Russian value code defined at the National Centre RUSSIA
The core of the Russian value code rests on five key principles: love for the Motherland, faith, reliance on family, truth, and freedom. These values define the worldview of Russians, shape their conduct within society and the state, and ensure the continuity of cultural and spiritual traditions. This was stated on 7 November by Vladimir Shapovalov, Project Manager of the Department for Interaction with the Expert Community of the Expert Institute for Social Research, Associate Professor at the Department of Comparative Politics at MGIMO University of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Candidate of Historical Sciences. He delivered a lecture titled "The Value Code of the Russian Person" at the National Centre RUSSIA. The event was part of the Final Forum of the International Volunteer Corps marking the 80th Anniversary of Victory, organised by the "Victory Volunteers" movement.
"We have a formula set out in Russia’s Foreign Policy Concept. It reads as follows: 'A distinctive state-civilisation, a vast Eurasian and Euro-Pacific power uniting the Russian people and other nations forming the Russian World.' This important formula has been incorporated into our conceptual documents," said Vladimir Shapovalov.
He went on to explain that there are several cultural and civilisational communities in the world – broad associations of people that have developed over many centuries based on shared cultural and often religious traditions. These include the collective West, China, India, Russia, and the Islamic world – the latter being the subject of much scholarly debate, Shapovalov noted.
"For hundreds of years, for a millennium, Russia has endured as a single country, a unified civilization-state. That is our historical path," he emphasised.
According to him, Russia is a "civilization-state" rather than a "nation-state". The key difference lies in the much broader scope of civilisation compared to that of a nation. Unlike European countries, which together form a single Western civilisation but are divided into mono-national nation-states, Russia stands apart for its multi-ethnic composition and cultural diversity. The country is home to 194 ethnic groups and around 300 languages and dialects, 18 of which hold official status in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
There are also notable differences between Russia and the West, the speaker noted. Russian scholars have found that for Russians, the core values include patriotism, collectivism, mercy, the primacy of the spiritual over the material, and justice. In Western countries, the dominant values are human rights, life, humanism, civic responsibility, creative work – and, at the very end of the list, patriotism. The closest overlap between our systems of values lies in creative work and strong family ties. Human rights, Shapovalov stressed, are understood quite differently in Russia and in the West – as are the concepts of freedom and life itself.
He added that the Russian World is not confined to the borders of the country – it encompasses all those who identify with Russian culture and history, wherever they may live. Historically, Russia and Europe shared common roots, but after the Time of Troubles, their civilisational paths diverged, deepening the value gap between Russia and the West. The country chose not to be part of a unified Europe – neither religiously nor politically – which cemented its distinctiveness and unique civilisational mission. This mission, he noted, is embodied in the formula "Moscow is the Third Rome".
"Then, what is Russia? Who are we? We are love for the Motherland, faith in the heart, reliance on family, truth as a measure, and freedom directed towards the future. These five defining values form the foundation of our civilisational code," concluded Vladimir Shapovalov.
